544 DIRECTIONS FOll SHOEING HORSES. 



evenly divide the distance to the heels. Nails at the toe are not of much 

 use, as the leverage at the toe often breaks them and, further, the 

 wear at the toe wears off their heads, and they become useless. 



22. Calkins for Heavy Draught Horses. In London Calkins are not 

 generally used. In Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, and many other large 

 towns, where the streets are paved with granite blocks, calkins are used 

 both on the inside and outside heel ; and in some towns Toe pieces also 

 are in use. 



If one Calkin only is used on the outside heel, the inside heel of the 

 shoe should be raised to the same height. This is necessary in order to 

 give a level bearing to the tread. Calkins have the disadvantage of 

 raising the frog above the ground, and thereby preventing its develop- 

 ment. The frog, if large and sound, is Nature's stay against slipping. 

 See Note 4. 



23. Clenches should not be rasped after being turned down. They 

 should be carefully flattened by the hammer. Any filing lessens their 

 power of holding. 



24. -Clips. If the crust is sound, and if the fitting of the shoe is 

 accurate, and the nariing is good, toe clips on the fore-feet are not abso- 

 lutely necessary. If clips are used, the crust should not be pared out 

 more than the depth of one-eighth of an inch to receive the clip. 



On the Hind feet, two clips, one on each side, are generally needed 

 to strengthen the hold of the nails. Toe clips are commonly used on the 

 feet of heavy horses ; but in the case of riding or harness horses doing 

 fast work, they would be apt to cause over-reaches. For horses that 

 kick against the stall posts, quarter clips are necessary. 



Explanatory Notes. 



1. Clenches. The careful and complete raising of each clench sepa- 

 rately is necessary in order to avoid injury to the crust ; and each nail 

 should be drawn separately, or a large piece of the crust may be dragged 

 away. 



2. The Crust or outer Wall of the hoof sustains the whole weight 

 of the body. The crust is only about half an inch in thickness. Any 

 rasping outside materially weakens it. 



3. The Horny sole protects the sensitive parts of the foot above it 

 from the ground, stones, etc. It is not thicker than is necessary for 

 this purpose or " duty." It is, therefore, a grave mistake to pare it, as 

 it will not grow too thick. It flakes off or " exfoliates " of its own 

 accord in due time. 



4. The Frog, like the sole, only requires to be let alone. It is 

 Nature's pad or cushion to lessen concussion in the upper structures 

 when the foot comes to the ground. It can never grow too big. It 

 thrives on concussion. If pared, and thereby deprived of use, it will 

 dwindle away. 



